Office of The Secretary

Colonel (Ret) Robert A. Ator II was appointed as the 3rd Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs effective January 1, 2025. He previously served as the Director of Military Affairs for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission of the Arkansas Department of Commerce since 2018.

Prior to assuming his role in state government, Colonel Ator served as the Commander of the 189th Airlift Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard, the largest Air National Guard C-130 Wing in the United States.  As Commander, Col. Ator was responsible for leading the Wing’s 14 subordinate units with over a thousand members, assets valued more than $2 billion, and an annual operating budget of $70 million. During his command, the 189th expanded to include the new Cyber Skills Validation School to meet the growing demand for cyber warrior training. During Col. Ator’s term of leadership, the Wing twice earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

Col. Ator is a 1989 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy.  After completing his degree, he attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi.  His first assignment was in the 61st Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, which was followed by an assignment to the 62nd Airlift Squadron.  He served 11 years on active duty in the United States Air Force before joining the Arkansas Air National Guard as a full-time guardsman.

Col. Ator is a veteran of several major combat operations, including Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait; Operation Provide Comfort in Somalia; Operation Provide Promise in Haiti; Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia; and Operation Noble Eagle in support of homeland defense.

He has received multiple military awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.  In addition, Col. Ator has been honored with the Air Mobility and Air Education and Training Commands’ prestigious McKay Trophy and Jabra Awards. 

Rob and Michelle, his wife of more than 35 years, live in Little Rock, AR. Michelle is a partner in the law firm Friday, Eldredge and Clark, LLP. Their daughter, Lauren, practices law at Wright, Lindsey, & Jennings, LLP.  Their son, Capt. Robert Ator, a C-17 pilot, and his wife, Lt. Sophia Ator, are serving the nation as Air Force officers at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska.

Wayne Ruthven is the Deputy Secretary/Chief of Staff for ADVA. He is a retired US Army Colonel with 30 years of active-duty service. A military police officer, Wayne’s assignments included command of a 1200-person MP Battalion (1800 during Desert Shield/Desert Storm), as well as commanding the same unit in northern Iraq for Operation Provide Comfort. Wayne’s brigade level command was of the Fort Myer Military Community, including three separate installations in northern Virginia/Washington, DC, where he was responsible for the safety and security of more than 25 general and flag officers/families, including the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and other temporarily assigned four-star officers. Wayne’s final assignments while on active duty were as the Inspector General and Senior Army Advisor to the Arkansas National Guard.

Since his service in the Army, Wayne has worked in numerous homeland security, emergency management, public safety, and military affairs roles at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels. Public sector positions in AR have included Director, AR Department of Emergency Management/State Homeland Security Advisor; Chief Investigator, Professional Licensure Standards Board, AR Department of Education; and Chief of Police, Jacksonville. Wayne has also served as either a Senior Advisor, Subject Matter Expert, Consultant, Vice President, or Senior Program Manager to/for the US Department of Homeland Security; Department of Defense; FEMA; IA Department of Education; National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; and private companies SAIC, Leidos, Readiness Resource Group, L-3 Communications, Armada, and ABS Consulting.

Wayne is an Arkansas Tech University distinguished military graduate and member of the ROTC Hall of Honor. He is also a graduate of Webster University, the US Army Command and General Staff College, the US Air Force War College, and over 50 additional US and international military and civilian training courses/schools.

Wayne was born and raised in Mountain Home. He is married to the former Beverly Morgan. They have five daughters: Mary Frances, Melissa, Angela, Morgan, and Emily. They have also been blessed with 20 grandchildren, 11 boys and 9 girls.

Director of Veterans Service
Gina Chandler
Gina.Chandler@arkansas.gov

Director of Long-Term Care 
Danny Luncsford
Danny.Luncsford@arkansas.gov